Westen, David, and Andrew welcome Twitch streamer and "the lorehound" Cynetrunner on the show to discuss a whole bunch of games that we have been playing, both older and newer.

From there, each of them give their top 5 franchises of all time, and there are a lot of big surprises.

Also, Westen gets roasted for paying $50 extra for his Switch 2 for absolutely no reason.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

5:47 Baldur's Gate 2

7:34 Dead Space 3

17:12 Duskfade

26:30 Fire Emblem: Three Houses

28:26 Killzone Liberation

31:18 Final Fantasy Resonance Demo

35:17 Wardogs Playtest

40:46 Fields of Mistria

43:12 Mortal Shell 2

49:15 Star Wars Zero Company

52:12 Sinking City 2/Moonlighter 2

54:55 Andrew's Top 5 Favorite Franchises

1:08:26 David's Top 5 Favorite Franchises

1:16:47 Westen's Top 5 Favorite Franchises

1:22:08 Cy's Top 5 Favorite Franchises

Westen https://bignerdgaming.com/

https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social

https://x.com/BigNerdGaming

https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming

https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/

David

https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social

https://www.twitch.tv/dsundy https://x.com/david_dsundy

Andrew

https://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.social

https://x.com/TheMCMR

Cynet

https://bsky.app/profile/cynetrunner.bsky.social

https://www.twitch.tv/cynetrunner https://x.com/CyNetrunner

Westen, David, Andrew, and our special guest Andres discuss our recent experiences with The Big Walk, Fields of Mistria, Mafia: The Old Country DLC, and Rogue Eclipse.

From there, in honor of Andres being on, everyone gives their top 5 indie games of 2026 so far.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

3:56 Big Walk

15:55 Mafia The Old Country DLC and Issues with Singleplayer DLC

30:42 Rogue Eclipse

33:30 Fields of Mistria

45:51 Andres' Top 5 Indies of the Year

1:02:23 Andrew's Top 5 Indies of the Year

1:12:29 David's Top 5 Indies of the Year

1:19:00 Westen's Top 5 Indies of the Year

Articles Referenced:

Andres talks about Big Walk https://pixelbytegaming.com/big-walk-is-the-perfect-outdoor-experience/

Westen https://bignerdgaming.com/

https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social

https://x.com/BigNerdGaming

https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming

https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/

David

https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social

https://x.com/david_dsundy

Andrew https://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.social

https://x.com/TheMCMR

AndresPlays

https://bsky.app/profile/andresplays.bsky.social https://www.twitch.tv/andresplays93

https://andresplays.carrd.co/

Westen, David, and Andrew give their thoughts on Assassin's Black Flag: Resynced and Deer & Boy. Westen also discusses why he thinks Denshattack! kind of sucks.

From there, they give their top 5 games they played in July, which has several big surprises.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

3:30 Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced

18:44 Deer & Boy

27:54 Denshattack!

30:50 David's Top 5 Games July

48:33 Andrew's Top 5 Games July

54:57 Westen's Top 5 Games July

Articles and Videos Referenced:

Westen Loves Skull and Bones https://bignerdgaming.com/2024/02/08/skull-and-bones-open-beta-impressions-lost-at-sea/

AC Black Flag Resynced https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9EmVkQ5v54

Deer & Boy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7XLv1lMtjI Denshattack! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gOL6y8iCHc inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdr-mU63OEI

The Mermaid Mask https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNm7ZoxP22s

Westen

https://bignerdgaming.com/

https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social

https://x.com/BigNerdGaming

https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming

https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/

David

https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social

https://x.com/david_dsundy

Andrew

https://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.social

https://x.com/TheMCMR

Westen, David, and Andrew once again FEARLESSLY dive into the all of the hot button issues that gamers are dealing with right now.

With Xbox studio layoffs now more finalized, the crew discusses what the best path forward might be for all of the studios that are now facing new futures.

They also discuss Sony ending physical games. Obviously, it's not good news, but are the doomsday predictions for the industry overhyped?

Finally, the crew gives their top 5 most anticipated games for the rest of 2026.

Timestamps

0:00 Intro

3:39 Double Fine and Compulsion

17:00 Undead Labs/State of Decay 3 And Ninja Theory/Senua

22:15 Arkane and Blade

28:38 Obsidian and id Software

41:28 Sony Killing Physical Games

1:07:33 Top 5 Anticipated Games for 2026

1:22:11 Outro

Articles and Videos Referenced:

Westen's 2026 Most Anticipated https://bignerdgaming.com/2026/07/01/my-14-most-anticipated-games-for-the-rest-of-2026/

Jason Schreier on team retention https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PiIggQ3aAo

Jason Schreier on physical games https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sESfDf0My84&t=1043s

Westen https://bignerdgaming.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social https://x.com/BigNerdGaming https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/

David https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social https://x.com/david_dsundy

Andrew https://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.social https://x.com/TheMCMR

BNG Podcast Episode 9:

Westen, David, and Paul from Boss Fights talk about all of the layoffs and price increases that have hit gaming in recent weeks. They discuss where gaming might be going from here. From there, Paul rants about Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Westen rants about 13 Sentinels, and then everyone gives their top 5 games they played in June.

Apologies for the lack of videos this week, our podcast editing software updated and broke bunch of things. Hopefully back to normal next podcast -David

Timestamps

1:58 What is wrong with the games industry

16:11 AA Games and Nintendo

21:06 $80 Games, Steam Machine, Xbox Price Increase, Paying for Early Access

33:58 Paul Rants About Final Fantasy Chronicles

37:41 Westen Hates Japanese Game Devs

41:49 Our Top 5 Games of the Months

56:12 Final Fantasy and Lufia 1 vs 2

Articles and Videos Referenced:

Hana's amazing article you should read yourself because David did a horrible job talking about it https://www.deargamers.net/blog/dear-gamers-are-we-being-priced-out

Jason Schreier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvhmBqRjtBQ&t=14s

Video Links:

MIO Memories in Orbit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cafPCloPgtc

Westen https://bignerdgaming.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social https://x.com/BigNerdGaming https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/

David https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social https://x.com/david_dsundy

Paul https://bsky.app/profile/paulwall.bsky.social https://bossfights.substack.com/

Westen, David, and Andrew each give out one big takeaway from Summer Game Fest Week. From there, they have a few early debates centered around the 2026 Game Awards. Finally, they each give their top 5 most overlooked games from Summer Game Fest week.

Timestamps:

2:22 Summer Games Fest Takeaways

12:03 GOTY Predictions

24:53 GTA VI and The Game Awards

35:01 September Releases

37:24 New The Game Awards Category?

41:05 Mixtape and TGA

45:02 Darkhorse GOTY Winner?

48:40 Top 5 Overlooked SGF

Games Video Links:

Mixtape https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQoEd5rnxiQ

Control Resonant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXRxroxfPJ8

ReVamp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRCAWL2mKMk

Toada Brava https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6adtv6q0mqk

Arcane Eats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sclG5mUD4g

Apple Crumble https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hStzapj3ono

Alarial's Blessing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E6Z5b4fAoo

Magicians: The Devil's Deal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8b2Jd-2y54

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1YYTbciSD8

Kemuri https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWMwRfJj8So

End of Abyss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sytee6i3M9E

Ninjala 2: The Uncharted Planet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9gIZwxCm-4

Gundam Rogue Orbit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J0_2eMtFQM

Threads of Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PzQIM1DMeQ

Stuntman Hollywood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7NZpeAmdxk

DOOM The Dark Ages Revelations DLC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL_JF1ZNllI

Westen, David and Andrew break down their thoughts from Forza Horizon 6, 007 First Light, and Lego Batman.

From there, they each give the top 5 games they played in May, and argue about Kingdom Hearts and KCD2 for fun.

Timestamps:

1:33 Forza Horizon 6

18:25 007 First Light

39:02 Lego Batman

41:50 David's Top 5

55:45 Andrew's Top 5

1:05:19 Westen's Top 5

Articles Referenced:

David's Way Too Early Predictions: https://medium.com/@dsundy/the-way-way-way-too-early-2026-game-of-the-year-award-nominee-predictions-a565bde52b41

Westen's Way Too Early Predictions: https://bignerdgaming.com/2026/01/17/my-way-way-too-early-2026-game-awards-nominee-predictions/

Westen's Replaced Review: https://bignerdgaming.com/2026/05/22/replaced-game-review-2026/

Terrible James Bond Take:

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/hear-me-out-what-if-james-bond-just-shouldnt-be-in-videogames/

Westen:

https://bignerdgaming.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social https://x.com/BigNerdGaming https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/

David: https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social

https://x.com/david_dsundy

Andrew: https://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.social https://x.com/TheMCMR

The Big Nerd Gaming Podcast makes its EPIC return with a new look and a new crew.

Westen starts off by introducing the new permanent crew of the show, Andrew and David. From there, the guys talk about Mixtape, MOUSE: PI For Hire, Vampire Crawlers, Replaced and Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Librarian. They also rank their top 5 games from the 2020s that will age the worst.

0:00 Intro

06:22 Mixtape

26:00 MOUSE P.I. For Hire

33:55 Vampire Crawlers

44:30 REPLACED

49:45 Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library!

55:28 Games of the 2020s That Will Age the Worst

Video Links:

Mixtape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQoEd5rnxiQ

MOUSE P.I. For Hire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5aA150iHkw

Vampire Crawlers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mfFLQL3lVk&t=1s

REPLACED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YheMqHoeHVc

Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh81e2oVZbM

Articles Referenced: https://bignerdgaming.com/2026/05/08/indie-gaming-roundup-mouse-pi-for-hire-vampire-crawlers-and-tombwater/

https://bignerdgaming.com/2026/05/05/the-top-10-games-of-the-2020s-that-will-age-the-worst/

Westen:

https://bignerdgaming.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/bignerdgaming.bsky.social

https://x.com/BigNerdGaming https://www.threads.com/@bignerdgaming https://www.facebook.com/people/Big-Nerd-Gaming/61555495498714/

David:

https://bsky.app/profile/dsundy.bsky.social

https://x.com/david_dsundy

Andrew:

https://bsky.app/profile/themcmr.bsky.social

https://x.com/TheMCMR

Westen and Jordan from CognitiveClips go through the official "BigNerdGaming and Friends" top 10 games of 2025. Which is actually over 20 games, but you'll have to listen to the podcast to find out how that happened.

#10: 5:00
#9: 16:39
#8: 22:03
#7: 29:56
#6: 35:33
#5: 40:05
#4: 41:52
#3: 43:17
#2: 46:40
#1: 52:45

Please check out Jordan's Youtube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAKAFMcJ-yD28lJc1bH_vlQ

Special thanks to Michaela for helping to compile these ranks so that they could be a surprise for me. You can check out her blog at https://www.deargamers.net/

Westen and Chike from Bassicfun discuss their top 5 most overlooked video games from 2025.

6:30 - Discussions of the games we are currently playing. Kingdom of Night, Ball x Pit, Outer Worlds 2, and Silent Hill f are discussed.

25:00 - Our top 5 most overlooked games this year, plus some honorable mentions.

You can check out Chike's awesome YouTube page which focuses on indie games at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/@bassicfun78

Also, be sure to check out www.bignerdgaming.com all month for tons of other end of year lists and coverage.